Routes Europe 2026 – Rimini site visit

Routes Europe 2026 will take place in Rimini, Italy between 18-20 May. Prior to the event, the Routes team conduct numerous site visits to the destination to meet with the hosts, visit the venue where over 4,000 meetings will take place to define air connectivity and explore the fantastic opportunities that delegates can experience during their time in Rimini, including numerous networking events.

Members of our Host & Event Management and Marketing teams visited the dynamic destination and shared their experience and recommendations with future Routes Europe 2026 delegates.

Who did you meet with?

It was a pleasure to meet with the Host team, including the Emilia-Romagna Region, Rimini Municipality and Rimini and San Marino International Airport, to discuss everything from welcoming delegates at the airport to networking experiences.

The collaboration between stakeholders is evident, with aligned goals to showcase Rimini’s competitive positioning and attractiveness across the route development community. There are extremely exciting developments to share with Routes attendees in the run-up to the event which will foster sustainable air network growth across the Emilia-Romagna region.

We also had the opportunity to meet with the team at the Palacongressi and viewed a wide variety of Official Hotels to ensure we can recommend the best options for our delegates.

What can you tell us about the venue?

The Palacongressi is one of Europe’s largest, most innovative, stylish, and eco-friendly venues. Its strategic location is easily accessible from the city centre and beach, leaving you with less time on a transfer and more time to explore this captivating host city. The venue boasts excellent facilities and spaces, filled with natural light, to accommodate our exhibition hall, conference and airline meeting halls.

Where did you stay?

We stayed at an incredible hotel just a few steps away from Rimini’s charming beach and marina. All Official Hotels are positioned within this location, making it easy to access restaurants, shops, attractions and sporting activities. The hotels are ideally positioned for those wanting to spend extra time in Rimini, starting your day by waking up to a refreshing sea breeze.

What did you see?

We were in awe when participating in a walking tour around the city centre of Rimini, an opportunity delegates will have to experience through one of the complimentary tours! During the tour we explored historical attractions, learned about the creative universe that shaped Federico Fellini’s world-renowned films, and took a break to enjoy a refreshing gelato italiano. 

We also visited another country just a 40-minute drive from Rimini to meet with the San Marino Tourism Board. A UNESCO World Heritage site, San Marino boasts stunning views, rich history and enchanting streets. As another complimentary tour option, it’s going to be a tough choice for Routes Europe 2026 delegates!

What is one thing you would recommend our delegates must do during their time in Rimini?

There is nothing better than walking along a sandy beach, with Rimini’s renowned wellness culture making this a unique experience with many activities to enjoy along its new Parco del Mare (Seafront Park).

With much more to explore delegates can take in the beautiful (and peaceful!) city streets, visit historical landmarks, explore local towns and enjoy Italian cuisine.

Routes Europe 2026 is set to be an extremely productive event to accelerate your route development strategy and make valuable new connections, all whilst exploring a scenic destination.